"Ivan Ashworth, of this city, who originated the Mexico Commercial Club's $1,000 saddle stake, has suggested and says with a little work the present ruins of the Ferris Grand Opera House can be extended and made into a miniature Coliseum which could be used as a theatre, convention hall and horse show and sale pavillion. With such a building Mexico would instantly jump into the place of the leading convention city of Missouri as well as attract wider attention to our stock and make the sales of national fame."

50 Years Ago

"A moderating trend in the weather kept temperatures from dropping as low as feared last night, and this morning shot the mercury up 13 degrees in an hour. It is still cold and will continue to be cold over the weekend, with lows tonight predicted to be from 2 below to 5 above, and highs tomorrow in the 15-20 range. The high today was expected to be around 15."

25 Years Ago

"Citizens opposed to further commercial development in the West Plaza shopping district will have a chance to be heard at a public hearing tonight at City Hall. A plan to rezone a one-block section of West Love from residential to commercial received unanimous approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 5. Commission members were informed that a portion of that block, which abuts recently rezoned property in the 700 block of West Monroe, would be used to build a Pizza Hut restaurant. In the regular City Council meeting, council members are expected to approve first and second readings of an ordinance that would enact the zoning change."

10 Years Ago

"With the District battling an outbreak of flu-like sicknesses and the threat of slick roads and frigid temperatures, North Callaway Superintendent Tom Howard decided to cancel class Thursday for the rest of the week. Many other mid-Missourians say they wish they could stay home, too. The current freeze is part of a cold front that blew in from Canada, bringing with it arctic-like temperatures and powdery snow. The temperature this morning at 8 a.m. was 6 degrees, but with the wind chill, it felt like -10 to -15 degrees. The cold was enough for Superintendent Don Francis to close Montgomery County schools on Thursday. School was cancelled today for Moberly, North Callaway, Paris and Wellsville.

The Yesterday In Mexico column is published daily in The Mexico Ledger.